The £80,000-a-year banker said she was bullied and overlooked for promotions and bonuses after rejecting the advances of her former boss, Jerry Lees, who is head of a sales team at brokerage firm Cheuvreux.

Corscadden said that during a grievance investigation, Lees denied making the brothel and prostitute comments, but admitted he may have referred to brokers as the “whores of the industry”.

“Mr Lees told me he was not looking for a one-night stand but that he would help me with my business if we had great sex,” Corscadden said in her witness statement.

“He stated that I would become very successful and earn great money if I agreed to this.”

A spokesman for Credit Agricole and Cheuvreux denied Corscadden had been the victim of sex discrimination and sexual harassment.

“CA Cheuvreux operates an equal opportunities policy throughout its global operations,” he said. “The company sees equality and dignity in the workplace as the bedrock of good working practices.”

Corscadden’s case is against Cheuvreux and Lees, but she also claims she was sexually discriminated against by two other senior executives.